Abstract:
The study sought to improve the achievements and attitude of students in qualitative analysis
through the cooperative teaching and learning approach. The study used action research
design. A total of 71 S H S science Students (participants) were selected from Tumu Senior
High Technical School and Kanton Senior High School for the study. Data for the study were
collected using achievement tests and the Treatment Verification Checklist. The Treatment
Verification Checklist sought response on the attitudes towards cooperative learning shown
by students in the experimental group during the intervention stage. Two tests, that is pre-test
and post-tests were administered before and after intervention respectively to determine the
academic achievement of the students in Qualitative analysis. Descriptive statistics was used
to organise the data from the Treatment Verification Checklist into means from the responses.
A paired t-test statistic was used to establish the significance of the Cooperative approach on
students’ academic achievement. Results from the treatment verification check list showed
the attitude of students towards the use of cooperative learning. It came to light that there was
significant and steady improvement from the first to the fifth week. This means that the
students appreciated the method. The post-intervention findings indicated positive attitudes
and a significantly improved performance of the students. It is recommended among other
things that cooperative teaching and learning should be employed in teaching chemistry at
SHSs to help instil positive attitudes in students by addressing the various factors responsible
for poor attitudes towards the subject. Implementation of the Cooperative approach should
help teachers identify the weaknesses of students and address them to improve their academic
achievement.
Description:
A THESIS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE EDUCATION, FACULTY OF
SCIENCE EDUCATION, SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE
STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA, IN PARTIAL
FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR AWARD OF MASTER OF
EDUCATION (SCIENCE EDUCATION) DEGREE
DECEMBER, 2017